Wandering through an old forest of giant cedars, the rushing Ward Creek spills over and between boulders creating a series of small rapids and waterfalls, and this is only the beginning of our hike to Hazel and Hub Lakes in the Great Burn Wilderness Study Area. After a steep set of switchbacks across an open mountainside, we enjoyed the vistas of looming peaks and ridges that surrounded us.
More images and additional trail info at https://mtnmisfits.com/our-adventures/a-hike-and-a-skinny-dip-at-hub-and-hazel-lakes
The hike to Hazel and Hub Lakes is a bit tougher than our favorite trail in the Great Burn, the exquisite Heart & Pearl Lakes.
The first mile is a relatively easy and steady elevation gain until you reach a cute little waterfall. From the fork in the trail (stay to the right), the path narrows and steeply climbs up several long switchbacks. At a shade over two and a half miles, we come to Hazel Lake. Above this point, a small waterfall tumbled off a saddle.
Beyond Hazel Lake, the trail crosses a subalpine basin before attaining a ridge. The trail drops steeply to the creek, and a short climb afterward, we reached Hub Lake.
The lake was very inviting, and soon Vida wearing a birthday suit was plunging into the cool waters for a short skinny dip, and this time there were no gawkers lurking in the timber. It was amazing to feel the warm sun on our skin after the dip.
This was a terrific hike for getting a good sweat going, and the skinny dip made the journey…oh yeah the season's first huckleberries helped too.